For years I refrained from reading anything authored by management gurus, successful entrepreneurs for the simple reason they made professional success look like an elusive feat or some kind of stunt which ordinary mortals could never pull off with their capabilities.
But this one is pleasantly different from the rest. A sublime and riveting story of a Lower divisional Clerk who came all the way to co found Mindtree Consulting one of the most admired place to work in. The book truly adores the virtues of Inclusion & connectedness to larger whole, commitment, tenacity and giving back to people A Must have for all who have just grown out of their Pajamas to immaculate trousers and for those who are dismayed by the realities of their professional ambitions .
The spunky cover is the first lure in contrast to brooding balding gloomy men with heaviness of Success. Rather it dwells in on the lightness of its simplicity without being preachy or verbose. The book is divided in three parts
Part I captures Authors childhood and his early days at his first Job. This also happens to be the most enjoyable part. Brought up in remote places in orissa without many luxuries to boast his childhood was replete with rich mentoring, constant wonder and simplicity.
Part II traces his corporate journey as he hops from being an Executive in DCM to HCL. At this time IT was fledgling, cash deprived sector desperately trying to gain strong hold in PC market.. Subrato sold computers learnt the art of Negotiating and finally quit HCL for its too aggressive customer engagement approach. He worked for a couple of organization with R&D divisions quit subsequently to start his first Entrepreneurial venture Project 21.It was a great Success though short-lived as the co founders lost interest and got engaged with more serious pursuits. Then Happened Wipro where he spent 10 his next years of his life and worked with some great bosses. He solved problems, dealt with cross cultural issues, raised funds and set up office in US and did everything to raise it to the position it is in.
Part III talks about his 2nd entrepreneurial venture.Mindtree Consulting Co. along with his mentor Ashok Soota and others. It started on a jittery note but in due course of time it invited the best and brightest minds to work. It soon became a close knit organization with shared values and Commitment that seeped from top management across Hierarchies. Subrato conceived the idea of “Servant leader ship” and steeped down to don the role of Gardener.
Throughout his life he came unfazed by failures and criticisms outperformed every situation. In most adverse of situations he neither buckled nor did he do anything revolutionary or larger than life. A simple objective approach, tenacity and a sense of contentedness with a whole saw him through. A convincing book read it on any bad boss days and you will feel uplifted.